Good morning, Hamilton! 👋

This week brought major developments across Hamilton: police are hunting for a suspect in the city's first shooting of 2026, City Council unanimously voted to revitalize Barton Village, and Forge FC battled Mexico's Tigres UANL to a scoreless draw at a snow-covered Tim Hortons Field.

Budget deliberation days (February 6 & 9) are happening this week, and the smash-and-grab trend continues with police foiling another attempted jewelry store robbery at Eastgate Square.

Here's what you need to know this week.

--- Michael Horvath

🔫 Police hunt suspect in Hamilton's first shooting of 2026 

🏙️ Council votes unanimously to revitalize Barton Village 

💎 Police foil jewelry store robbery at Eastgate Square 

⚽ Forge FC holds Mexico's Tigres to scoreless draw 

🌡️ Cold weather alert cancelled February 2 

⚡ Quick Hits 

🧭 Hamilton at a Glance 

🏘️ Neighbourhood Watch

Hamilton Police are asking for the public's help identifying a suspect and vehicle in the city's first shooting of 2026, which left a man seriously injured on Friday evening, January 31.

At approximately 7:13 p.m., officers responded to a business in the area of East 28th Street and Fennell Avenue East for a report of a shooting. An adult male was injured and transported to hospital in serious condition.

The Shooting Response Team confirmed that the suspect fled in a waiting vehicle. The suspect is described as a male, 6'0" to 6'3" tall, wearing a dark green puffy winter jacket, a black hoodie with a large white "Adidas" logo on the front, black pants, and black shoes.

The vehicle is believed to be a 2020 Honda Civic, four-door, silver or grey in colour.

Detectives are asking residents, business owners, and anyone who was in the Eastmount neighbourhood (between East 27th Street and Upper Sherman Avenue, and Fennell Avenue East to Queensdale Avenue East) to review surveillance or dash camera footage captured between 7:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. on January 31.

👉 Hamilton Police investigation

👉 Crime Stoppers tip line

In a rare unanimous vote, Hamilton City Council backed a plan to "re-invigorate" Barton Village on Wednesday, February 5. Councillors voted 16-0 in favour of Ward 3 Councillor Nrinder Nann's motion directing city staff to address vacant buildings, illegal dumping, improve public art, and financially support new businesses.

The neighbourhood "deserves our best effort," Nann told the General Issues Committee. "It's a long time coming and if we get Barton Village right, we'll get the rest of the city right."

The Barton Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) runs along Barton Street East from about Ferguson Avenue North to Sherman Avenue North. The area has a "high concentration of empty and vacant storefronts, abandoned or stalled development projects, and a significant amount of dumping and garbage," according to Nann's motion.

Nadine Ubl, who directs the BIA, told councillors that these issues "overshadow any positive work we do, no matter how hard we try." She appreciated the urgency in Nann's motion, noting that previous improvement plans were too far in the future.

The motion directs staff to create short-term, mid-term, and long-term strategies addressing: infrastructure (potholes and pipe repair), waste services, empty and derelict buildings, and housing and social services. The first step will be fixing the roads.

👉 CBC Hamilton Barton Village coverage

👉 CHCH News story

Hamilton Police officers conducting proactive patrols foiled an attempted smash-and-grab robbery at Eastgate Square on Tuesday, February 4. The incident is part of a concerning trend of jewelry store robberies across the GTHA.

At approximately 4:00 p.m., four individuals entered the mall at 75 Centennial Parkway with their faces covered and armed with a sledgehammer and crowbars. As they made their way toward one of the jewelry stores, they spotted mall security and police officers in the area.

The group immediately fled the mall and returned to a waiting vehicle driven by a fifth individual. The suspects were last seen leaving the area in a black sedan.

"A lot of policing is reactive, but it's equally important to be proactive," Const. Trevor McKenna told CHCH. "When we get time, we like to do check-ups on churches, mosques and jewelry stores."

Police are concerned the group may attempt to target another business, as this attempt was unsuccessful. This comes after a similar incident at an Eastgate Square jewelry store in July 2025, where five suspects were arrested and all stolen property was recovered.

👉 Hamilton Police investigation

👉 CHCH News coverage

Hamilton's Forge FC battled Mexico's Tigres UANL to a scoreless draw on Tuesday, February 3, at a snow-covered Tim Hortons Field in the first leg of their 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Round One matchup.

Despite being heavily outshot 20-9 and holding only 32% possession, Forge goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud was outstanding, making eight saves to keep the 2020 Champions Cup winners off the scoresheet. Tigres had eight shots on target and eight corners but couldn't break through.

The match took place in frigid conditions, with the field completely snow-covered due to below-freezing temperatures in Hamilton. Tigres featured a star-studded lineup including 2024 World Cup winner Ángel Correa and French legend André-Pierre Gignac.

"The weather, players get over it after 15-20 minutes, it's normal," Forge head coach Bobby Smyrniotis said before the match. "When you look at an experienced team like those that we've played from Liga MX, I don't think it's much of an issue for them."

The second leg will take place Monday, February 10, at Estadio Universitario in Mexico. The winner on aggregate advances to the Round of 16.

👉 Match highlights (VAVEL)

👉 TSN coverage

Hamilton's Medical Officer of Health cancelled the Cold Weather Alert on Sunday, February 2, after temperatures rose above -15°C or -20°C with wind chill. The alert had been in effect since January 22.

Cold Weather Alerts are issued when temperatures reach or fall below -15°C or -20°C with wind chill, to help protect vulnerable residents and activate emergency warming centres.

👉 City of Hamilton cold weather alert details

📅 Budget amendment days --- General Issues Committee meets Thursday, February 6, and Monday, February 9, for formal budget deliberations. Council has until February 13 to pass amendments. City meeting calendar

🗳️ October election update --- Most of Hamilton's City Council, including Mayor Andrea Horwath, have confirmed they'll run for re-election on October 26, 2026. Ward 8 Coun. Rob Cooper is considering a mayoral run. CBC Hamilton election story

⚽ Forge second leg --- Forge FC travels to Mexico for the second leg against Tigres UANL on Monday, February 10, at Estadio Universitario. Kickoff is 9:00 p.m. ET. Concacaf Champions Cup schedule

🔫 First shooting of 2026 --- suspect sought (Jan 31, Eastmount neighbourhood) Hamilton Police 

🏙️ Barton Village revitalization --- approved 16-0 by Council (Feb 5) CBC Hamilton 

💎 Eastgate robbery foiled --- police on site during attempted smash-and-grab (Feb 4) Hamilton Police 

⚽ Forge FC 0-0 draw vs Tigres UANL at Tim Hortons Field (Feb 3) TSN 

📅 Budget deliberations --- Feb 6 & 9 (amendment days) City of Hamilton 

🌡️ Cold Weather Alert --- cancelled Feb 2 City of Hamilton

🏙️ Downtown / Lower City

Barton Village revitalization approved: City Council unanimously approved a plan to address vacant buildings, illegal dumping, infrastructure repairs, and support new businesses along Barton Street East between Ferguson and Sherman. The first priority is fixing roads and potholes. 👉 Learn More

⛰️ The Mountain

First shooting investigation: Police are asking residents in the Eastmount neighbourhood (East 27th to Upper Sherman, Fennell to Queensdale) to check surveillance cameras for suspicious activity between 7:00-7:15 p.m. on January 31. A male suspect, 6'0"-6'3" wearing a green jacket and Adidas hoodie, fled in a silver/grey 2020 Honda Civic. 👉 Report Tips

🌿 Dundas

Budget deliberations: Formal budget amendment days are February 6 and 9. Council has until February 13 to pass amendments. Watch meetings live or review agendas online. 👉 Meeting Schedule

🏡 Ancaster

Crime prevention reminder: With the recent smash-and-grab incidents across Hamilton, police are conducting proactive checks at jewelry stores, churches, and mosques. Report any suspicious activity, especially groups with covered faces near retail locations.

💦 Waterdown

Election news: Most Hamilton councillors have confirmed they'll seek re-election on October 26, 2026. Nominations close August 21. The municipal election will determine Hamilton's next mayor and 15 ward councillors. 👉 Election Information

🏖️ Stoney Creek

Eastgate Square security: Police foiled an attempted smash-and-grab at Eastgate Square on February 4 when officers conducting proactive patrols spotted four suspects with sledgehammers entering the mall. The group fled before reaching their target. Business owners and shoppers are encouraged to stay alert and report suspicious activity. 👉 Hamilton Police Update

From the first shooting of 2026 to Barton Village's unanimous revitalization vote, this week showed both the challenges Hamilton faces and the city's commitment to addressing them. Budget deliberation days are happening on Thursday and Monday. The decisions made this week will shape Hamilton's services and priorities for the year ahead.

And in sports news, Forge FC held their own against one of Mexico's top teams in frigid conditions, a scoreless draw that keeps their Champions Cup hopes alive heading into next week's second leg. 🏒❄️

Have something we should feature next week (a local story, community update, or a can't-miss heads-up)? Just reply to this email. I read every message.

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Thanks for reading!

Michael Horvath